Devin

Williams

Williams had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn just $7.7 million in his final season of arbitration, so he appears to have done well for himself in his first negotiation with his new squad. Perhaps the Yankees could have been also buying some goodwill in an attempt to sign up to a long-term deal. Williams was as dominant as ever after returning from a serious back injury in 2024, compiling a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a 38/11 K/BB ratio over 21 2/3 innings. He’ll function as the Yankees’ closer and as long as he stays healthy should finish among the elite options at the position.

It seems pretty obvious, but it’s nice to hear some confirmation. Williams was acquired by the Yankees in the deal for Nestor Cortes earlier in December, and the 30-year-old has been as good as any closer in baseball when healthy. Luke Weaver looked solid in his job as the stopper, but he’ll be a bridge to Williams that the Yankees can use in high-leverage situation. If he was to get hurt, Weaver would seem to be the next player up.

Williams will head to the Yankees and presumably take over closing duties for the American League champions. The right-hander has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball, and while he did miss half of 2024 with a back ailment, he should again be a dominant option at the back of the bullpen.

In the deal, the Yankees will send Nestor Cortes to the Brewers as well as prospect and Arizona Fall League standout Caleb Durbin. Will Sammon notes that the Yankees will send some of Cortes’ salary as part of the deal. Williams missed the first half of 2024 because of a back ailment, but he’s been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball when healthy. He’ll be the stopper for the Yankees, and has a chance to pile up the saves on the defending American League champions.

He’ll get a $250,000 buyout. Williams made $7 million last season and would have cleared $10.5 million in arbitration next year had he not hurt his back and missed the first half. As is, the Brewers think he’ll have to settle for a lesser salary in his final year before free agency, and they’re not really worried about maintaining goodwill with the two-time All-Star, as it’s quite doubtful he’ll still be around in 2026. It’s entirely possible he’ll be traded this winter.

Arnold specified that the team still believes Williams is the best closer in baseball and won’t be defined by one pitch that led to a postseason loss to the Mets. However, the Brewers are “the smallest market in the league,” so Arnold knows that being open-minded is “something that’s required in this.” With plenty of high-upside arms in their organization, it’s not far-fetched to believe the Brewers would look to move Williams at his peak value.

Williams had allowed one home run in 22 appearances this year, but after Francisco Lindor walked and Brandon Nimmo singled in the ninth inning, he gave up a big three-run blast to Pete Alonso. The Brewers couldn’t have drawn up Game 3 of the Wild Card series much better than having Williams on the mound in the ninth inning with a two-run lead, but he didn’t get the job done. He’s still a top five fantasy closer heading into the offseason.

Williams did allow one hit, but he also struck out one batter and was never in any danger of allowing a run. He now has 13 saves and a 1.31 ERA in 21 games since coming back from a pre-season back injury. He should be one of the first closers off the board in 2025 drafts.

Williams issued a walk to Jake McCarthy and then saw McCarthy steal second, but he was able to get out of the inning unscathed and helped the Brewers completed a comeback from a game they were down 8-0. Williams now has 13 saves since returning from the injured list, and a sparkling 1.37 ERA. He’s one of the best in the sport.

Williams was called on to pitch the top of the ninth inning in a tie game against the Phillies. He shut them down, striking out the side on 19 pitches before Milwaukee walked it off in the bottom of the frame to give Williams the win. The 29-year-old right-hander has posted a 1.45 ERA with 35 strikeouts over 18 2/3 innings while converting 12 saves.